Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via vestibular approach: operative steps and video

Abstract

In this video we describe transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA). Inclusion criteria are (I) patients who had a ultrasonographically (US) estimated thyroid diameter not larger than 10 cm; (II) US estimated gland volume <= 45 mL; (III) nodule size <= 50 mm; (IV) a benign tumor, such as a thyroid cyst, single-nodular goiter, or multinodular goiter; (V) follicular neoplasm; (VI) papillary microcarcinoma without evidence of metastasis. The procedure is carried out through three-port technique placed at the oral vestibule, one 10-mm port for 30 degrees endoscope and two additional 5-mm ports for dissecting and coagulating instruments. CO2 insufflation pressure is set at 6 mmHg. An anterior cervical subplatysmal space is created from the oral vestibule down to the sternal notch, laterally to the sterncleidomuscles. Thyroidectomy is done fully endoscopically using conventional endoscopic instruments and intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM).